Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090173788 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PRIORITIZING VISUALLY AIMED THREATS FOR LASER-BASED COUNTERMEASURE ENGAGEMENT - The present invention increases the survivability of a helicopter by prioritizing a threat engagement sequence for a laser-based countermeasure system based on the determined relative lethality of each detected visually trained threat (e.g., small arms fire). The system and method defines a plurality of threat effectiveness merit factors, or lethality factors, that are determinable from available helicopter navigation and sensor data, to quantify the danger associated with each detected threat. The system and method then combines the defined lethality factors using a mathematical function, such as a merit function, to numerically quantify the level of threat posed by each threat. The calculated threat values for each of the detected threats are compared to prioritize the threats for engagement by a laser-based countermeasure system, such as a Visual Acquisition Disrupter (VAD) system. | 07-09-2009 |
20090271157 | SURVIVABILITY MISSION MODELER - A method of determining survivability is disclosed. The method can include selecting a mission scenario and providing data associated with the scenario as input to a plurality of low-level modeling tools each associated with a corresponding spectrum, and performing a spectral analysis of the selected scenario using each of the low-level modeling tools for the corresponding spectrum. The method can also include generating an event probability matrix for each analyzed spectrum based on the output of the low-level model, the event probability matrix including a probability of detection, a probability of tracking, and a probability of engagement for each of a plurality of mission scenario reference points. Using the event probability matrix as input, a constructive analysis can be performed using a high-level simulation system configured to simulate actual event occurrence for a specific run of the mission scenario and a probability of survival based on a result of the constructive analysis can be determined. A report of the probability of survival, as well as other statistics relevant to operational performance and/or survivability can be provided as output. | 10-29-2009 |
20090322584 | THREAT PRIORITIZATION USING ENGAGEMENT TIMELINE - A method for prioritizing threats to an aircraft is disclosed. The method can include providing threat attribute information including a threat engagement timeline and a threat lethality metric and obtaining a threat track indication that indicates a threat is tracking the aircraft. The method can also include determining a historical position estimate of the aircraft at which the threat track began, a time estimate at which the threat track began and determining a period of time during which the threat track has been possible. The method can also include determining a time to engagement based on the threat attribute information and the time period and calculating a priority value for the threat based on the time to engagement and the threat lethality metric. The method can include outputting a prioritized threat list including the priority value calculated for the threat. | 12-31-2009 |
20100010793 | VEHICLE ASPECT CONTROL - A computer system and method for determining a survivability aspect control signal for an aircraft is disclosed. The computer system can include a processor and a memory including software instructions adapted to cause the computer system to perform a series of steps. The steps can include providing a plurality of signature exposure models, each signature exposure model corresponding to a threat sensor and including a threat sensor characteristic and a threat operational characteristic. A portion of a mission can be selected along with one or more of the models based on the selected mission portion. The steps can include calculating a signature exposure index based on the one or more selected models and the selected mission portion and providing a survivability aspect control signal based on the signature exposure index. | 01-14-2010 |
20100135120 | Ground threat location for an aircraft - Systems and methods are provided for locating threats to an aircraft that are located on the ground. Associated bearings are determined from an aircraft for each of a plurality of detected shots from a threat at ground level. A plurality of pairs of bearings are selected, and a weight value is calculated for each selected pair of bearings. An estimated position for the threat is determined from each selected pair of bearings. An improved estimation of the position for the threat is calculated as a weighted combination of the estimated positions. | 06-03-2010 |
20100145552 | Route planning using ground threat prediction - Systems and methods are disclosed for determining an optimal flight path for an aircraft through a region of interest. A reroute region, which provides extreme boundaries for an optimal flight path, is defined around an initial flight path for the aircraft. A plurality of subregions are defined within the reroute region. Each of the plurality of subregions represent one of a plurality of representative times at which the airplane is expected to arrive at an associated location on the initial flight path. The position of at least one threat is predicted at each of the plurality of representative times. A cost is assigned to each cell in each subregion according to the predicted position of the at least one threat source at the representative time associated with the subregion. The optimal path is determined as a path through the reroute region having a lowest total cost. | 06-10-2010 |
20110001062 | Dynamic optical countermeasures for ground level threats to an aircraft - Systems and methods are provided for mitigating optically aimed threats to an aircraft from the ground. A laser beam, having sufficient intensity to interfere with the vision of a human being, is projected from the aircraft over a defined scan pattern at ground level. At least one flight parameter is received. Each flight parameter represents one of a current orientation, position, and motion of the aircraft. The defined scan pattern is adjusted according to at least one flight parameter. | 01-06-2011 |
20130124089 | SPATIOTEMPORAL SURVIVABILITY DATA COMPRESSION USING OBJECTIVE ORIENTED CONSTRAINTS - Systems and methods are disclosed for determining an optimal flight path from a starting point to a destination point within an allotted time interval. The time interval is divided into a plurality of time periods. For each time period, a plausibility region is determined, representing an area reachable by an aircraft by an end of the time period, but from which the aircraft can reach the destination point within the remaining time. An expected region of influence is determined for at least one threat at each time period, and a constituent cost map is generated by assigning a cost to cells within the overlap of the region of influence and the plausibility region. The constituent cost maps are combined into a final cost map. The optimal path is determined as a lowest cost path from the starting point to the destination point, and displayed to a user. | 05-16-2013 |
20130179063 | GROUND THREAT LOCATION FOR AN AIRCRAFT USING BURST RECOGNITION - Systems and methods are provided for locating threats to an aircraft that are located on the ground. Associated bearings from a sensor in an aircraft are determined for each of a plurality of detected shots from a threat at ground level. A sensor ground projection is plotted along each associated bearing. Each sensor ground projection is mapped to an elliptical uncertainty area reflecting the inherent error in bearing determining instrumentation. An estimation of the position for the threat based on the intersection points between mapped uncertainty areas of the sensor ground projections is calculated. | 07-11-2013 |
20130206901 | SMALL ARMS CLASSIFICATION/IDENTIFICATION USING BURST ANALYSIS - Systems and methods are provided for differentiating weapon fire from targets on the ground to an aircraft such that appropriate countermeasures can be taken. A plurality of shots from a target on the ground is detected from a sensor in the aircraft. Shots belonging to a single burst are correlated. A firing characteristic of the plurality of shots in the burst is computed. A weapon type is determined for the plurality of shots based on the firing characteristic. | 08-15-2013 |
20130234864 | REFLEXIVE RESPONSE SYSTEM FOR POPUP THREAT SURVIVAL - Methods and apparatus for assessing threats to a vehicle to facilitate a reflexive response. Threat timeline parameters for a detected threat to the vehicle including a threat mode and a time progression of the threat in the threat mode is determined based, at least in part, on a plurality of information sources. One or more candidate solutions for facilitating the reflexive response to the threat are determined based, at least in part, on the threat mode and the time progression and one or more of the candidate solutions are presented to an operator of the vehicle to enable the operator to mediate the threat. | 09-12-2013 |
20130245931 | ROUTE RE-PLANNING USING ENEMY FORCE LETHALITY PROJECTION - A method, system and computer readable media for route re-planning including generating enemy force movement predictions to be used during mission planning. During a mission, enemy force movements can be compared to the predictions. By using enemy force movement predictions for an initial comparison, the enemy force movements may only need to be compared to the own force mission plan if the enemy forces deviate from the predictions. When enemy force movement deviates from the predictions, new enemy force movement predictions can be generated. The new enemy force movement predictions can then be compared to the own force mission plan to determine if a route re-plan is needed. The route can be re-planned to determine a route that reduces or eliminates the chance of a lethal encounter with an enemy or threat. | 09-19-2013 |
20130249262 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR TACTILE PRESENTATION OF INFORMATION - A system for tactile presentation of information to a pilot of an aircraft. The system comprises a pilot seat, a plurality of tactors, and a controller configured to control the plurality of tactors to tactually present the threat information to the pilot by producing one or more tactile stimuli based on situational awareness information. The tactors in the plurality of tactors are physically coupled to the pilot seat and the threat information is indicative of a threat to the aircraft. In some embodiments, at least one pressure sensor may be physically coupled to the pilot seat and the plurality of tactors may be configured to tactually present the threat information to the pilot based at least in part on data obtained by the at least one pressure sensor. | 09-26-2013 |
20130293406 | PREEMPTIVE SIGNATURE CONTROL FOR VEHICLE SURVIVABILITY PLANNING - Systems and methods for improving vehicle survivability. In some embodiments, threat information relating to at least one potential threat against at least one vehicle during a mission may be accessed. The threat information may comprise threat location information indicative of at least one likely location for the at least one potential threat and at least one model associated with the at least one potential threat. Prior to commencing the mission, the threat information may be used to assign a numerical measure to each potential action of a plurality of potential actions for the at least one vehicle based at least in part on at least one measure of the at least one vehicle resulting from executing the potential action. The plurality of potential actions may be compared based at least in part on the respective numerical measures assigned to the plurality of potential actions. | 11-07-2013 |
20130297096 | EVALUATION TOOL FOR VEHICLE SURVIVABILITY PLANNING - Systems and methods for improving vehicle survivability. In some embodiments, an evaluation model may be built based at least in part on mission information. The mission information may comprise vehicle information regarding at least one vehicle and threat information regarding a plurality of threats to the at least one vehicle. The evaluation model may be used to assign a numerical measure to each potential action of a plurality of potential actions for the at least one vehicle, where the numerical measure may be based on measures of signature exposure relating to multiple threats of the plurality of threats. A sequence of actions to be executed by the at least one vehicle may be selected based at least in part on the respective numerical measures assigned to the plurality of potential actions, to improve the at least one vehicle's survivability against the plurality of threats. | 11-07-2013 |
20130297271 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR VEHICLE SURVIVABILITY PLANNING - System and methods for improving vehicle survivability. In some embodiments, Mission information may be obtained regarding a mission of at least one vehicle. The mission may comprise a plurality of mission stages, and the mission information may comprise at least one model associated with the at least one vehicle and at least one threat to the at least one vehicle. A potential action of the at least one vehicle may be selected by calculating a numerical measure for the potential action based at least in part on a mission stage of the plurality of mission stages during which the potential action is to be taken and the at least one model. | 11-07-2013 |
20140207366 | ROUTE RE-PLANNING USING ENEMY FORCE LETHALITY PROJECTION - A method, system and computer readable media for route re-planning including generating enemy force movement predictions to be used during mission planning. During a mission, enemy force movements can be compared to the predictions. By using enemy force movement predictions for an initial comparison, the enemy force movements may only need to be compared to the own force mission plan if the enemy forces deviate from the predictions. When enemy force movement deviates from the predictions, new enemy force movement predictions can be generated. The new enemy force movement predictions can then be compared to the own force mission plan to determine if a route re-plan is needed. The route can be re-planned to determine a route that reduces or eliminates the chance of a lethal encounter with an enemy or threat. | 07-24-2014 |
20140309808 | REFLEXIVE RESPONSE SYSTEM FOR POPUP THREAT SURVIVAL - Methods and apparatus for assessing threats to a vehicle to facilitate a reflexive response. Threat timeline parameters for a detected threat to the vehicle including a threat mode and a time progression of the threat in the threat mode is determined based, at least in part, on a plurality of information sources. One or more candidate solutions for facilitating the reflexive response to the threat are determined based, at least in part, on the threat mode and the time progression and one or more of the candidate solutions are presented to an operator of the vehicle to enable the operator to mediate the threat. | 10-16-2014 |